St. Charles Church

St Charles's Church

The Vienna audio-guided tour brings you before St Charles's Church, the Karlskirche, which stands behind its pool like an emblematic image of the city. A place of worship of great beauty, with its dome and its twisted columns, it is discovered with respect.

A votive church

St Charles's Church is regarded as one of the finest examples of 18th-century Baroque architecture in Central Europe. It is a votive church, built following a vow of Emperor Charles VI during the plague epidemic of 1713: he then pledged to erect a sanctuary dedicated to his patron saint, Charles Borromeo, a bishop known for having helped plague sufferers in Milan.

What there is to see

The architect blended styles: the church draws on the basilica of Hagia Sophia and combines elements from Rome to place the Holy Roman Empire in that lineage. Two huge columns, forty-seven metres high, illustrate the life of Saint Charles Borromeo. The dome, the frescoes and the scale of the nave make this sanctuary famous, and it is visited with respect for the place of worship.

Practical information

St Charles's Church is on Karlsplatz, in the 4th district of Vienna. Access, generally ticketed for the tourist visit, is subject to hours that vary by day and season; it is best to check in advance. An active place of worship, it requires proper dress and silence, particularly during services.

Why was St Charles's Church built ?

It is a votive church, built following a vow of Emperor Charles VI during the plague epidemic of 1713, and dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo.

What do the two large columns represent ?

Forty-seven metres high, they illustrate the life and work of Saint Charles Borromeo, the emperor's patron saint.